The early aughts were a garbage dump of bad fashion, terrible trends, misogynistic pop culture and orange spray tans, and yet… people these days have so much nostalgia for that era. Personally, I think the youths are simply nostalgic for any pre-social media era, but here we are. I’ll admit it, I have a wistfulness for some of the celebrity pairings from that era, and my wish for a Bennifer reunion ended up happening. And now this – Ashanti and Nelly dated, on and off, for many years. They started happening in 2003 and finally called it quits for good in 2013. Then earlier this year, they rekindled their spark and started dating again. Now she’s knocked up!
Ashanti is pregnant with her first child after rekindling her romance with Nelly earlier this year, Us Weekly can confirm.
“Nelly and Ashanti are welcoming their first baby together,” a source exclusively tells Us. The baby will be Ashanti’s only child, while Nelly, 49, shares daughter Chanelle, 29, and son Cornell Haynes III, 24, with ex Channetta Valentine.
Ashanti, 43, first sparked pregnancy speculation over the weekend when she attended Nelly’s Black and White Ball in St. Louis with her partner. During the event, the “Only U” singer put her hand on her stomach while on stage with Nelly and he did the same. According to a fan video shared by TMZ, the couple broke into laughter after seemingly hinting that they are expanding their family.
Ashanti and Nelly dated on and off from 2003 to 2013 after meeting during a Grammy Awards press conference. In April, the duo sparked reconciliation rumors when they were seen holding hands at a boxing match in Las Vegas.
Nelly confirmed the relationship in September in a clip from Philo TV’s “Boss Moves with Rasheeda,” saying, “Yeah, we cool again.” He revealed that the rekindled romance “surprised both of us though,” adding, “It wasn’t anything that I don’t think was planned.”
That same month a source exclusively told Us that Ashanti didn’t expect to get back together with Nelly after 10 years apart. “A few years ago, Ashanti never would’ve imagined reconciling with Nelly, but they’re enjoying spending time together,” the insider said at the time. “They don’t want to rush anything.”
Honestly, I get it. Some people get to a certain age and they don’t want to start all over with someone completely new. It’s nice to have a shared history as a base for your relationship. Something nice is that Ashanti knows she and the baby will be okay if the relationship goes t-ts up as well – she’s 43 years old, not some naive kid. This is probably her last-chance baby and Nelly seems supportive. He’s not a naive kid either, and he’s got two grown adult children. And no, I don’t want to talk about his history in this post. Sending love to Ashanti and congrats to her.
Photos courtesy of Avalon Red.
Nelly and Ashanti BET Awards 2008 at the Shrine Auditorium – press room Los Angeles, California – 24.06.08,Image: 326748590, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: Nikki Nelson / Wenn / Avalon 
Nelly and Ashanti The Angel Ball 2012 at Cipriani Wall Street Rob Rich/,Image: 341465379, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: – / Wenn / Avalon 
Ashanti and Nelly 6th Annual DKMS Linked Against Blood Cancer Gala at Cipriani Wall Street,Image: 348357605, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: – / Wenn / Avalon
85968, NEW YORK, NEW YORK – Monday October 22, 2012. Ashanti and Nelly attending the Angel Ball 2012 hosted by Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City. **FEE MUST BE AGREED PRIOR TO USAGE** **E-TABLET/IPAD & MOBILE PHONE APP PUBLISHING REQUIRES ADDITIONAL FEES**,Image: 527836441, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: WORLD RIGHTS, DIRECT SALES ONLY UNLESS STATED OTHERWISE IN CAPTION – Fee Payable Upon Reproduction – For queries contact Avalon.red – sales@avalon.red London: +44 (0) 20 7421 6000 Los Angeles: +1 (310) 822 0419 Berlin: +49 (0) 30 76 212 251 Madrid: +34 91 533 4289, Model Release: no, Credit line: PacificCoastNews.com / Avalon 
ASHANTI AND NELLY IN THE PRESS ROOM AT THE 2008 BET AWARDS HELD AT THE SHRINE AUDITORIUM IN LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA. 24 JUNE 2008. PICTURES. / CPA NOT FOR USE IN THE USA ASHANTI AND NELLY,Image: 546535953, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: USA OUT – Fee Payable Upon Reproduction – For queries contact Photoshot – sales@photoshot.com London: +44 (0) 20 7421 6000 Florida: +1 239 689 1883 Berlin: +49 (0) 30 76 212 251, Model Release: no, Credit line: VINCE FLORES / Avalon 
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, USA – SEPTEMBER 12: Ashanti arrives at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards held at the Prudential Center on September 12, 2023 in Newark, New Jersey, United States.,Image: 805034904, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Pictured: Ashanti, Credit line: Xavier Collin / Image Press Agency / Avalon
Ashanti bei der Verleihung der MTV Video Music Awards 2022 im Prudential Center. Newark, 12.09.2023 *** Ashanti at the 2022 MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Center Newark, 12 09 2023. Foto:xR.xWagnerx/xFuturexImagex vma_3770,Image: 805105503, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: imago is entitled to issue a simple usage license at the time of provision. Personality and trademark rights as well as copyright laws regarding art-works shown must be observed. Commercial use at your own risk., Model Release: no, Credit line: IMAGO/Regina Wagner / AvalonncG1vNJzZmivp6x7pLHLnpmirJOdxm%2BvzqZmcWxnboZ3e8Csn5qmpJ6sr7HLpbCYmaKarKbEz56araGenKyiq8GambKXkZvBpr6%2Bq5ykoZ6Zuaq6xpiroZ2Zp6yzu8yapZydj5qus7jInqmYrJiewKDFxJqpaA%3D%3D